阿姐 (ā jiě) — elder sister; polite form of address for a woman about one's own age

Definition

A Cantonese/Hong Kong term meaning 'elder sister' or a friendly address for a woman about one's age — not standard Mandarin 姐姐. Politely neutral in tone, distinct from the more formal 女士.

noun
elder sisterpolite form of address for a woman about one's own age
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 阿姐。
    Wǒ de ā jiě duì wǒ hěn hǎo.
    My elder sister is very good to me.
  • 阿姐，？
    ā jiě, Nǐ shén me shí hou huí lái?
    Sister, when will you come back?
  • 阿姐。
    Zhè wèi ā jiě shì guǎng dōng rén.
    This lady (polite address) is from Guangdong.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

阿āfamiliar form
姐jiěelder sister

阿 makes 姐 sound familiar and affectionate, meaning elder sister.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
阜阜fù
Sound part声符shēngfú
可
可kě阿ā
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The part 阜 points to a mound, and 可 gives the pronunciation; 阿 originally meant a big mound.

Open 阿 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
女女nǚwoman
Sound part声符shēngfú
且
且qiě姐jiě
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The 女 part points to a woman, and 且 is a sound component.

Open 姐 →

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